How to Repair a Hole in Plaster with Drywall

Leah demonstrates how to repair a hole in a plaster wall or ceiling with drywall, using a method where she sisters the studs and shims the drywall to fit flush with the existing plaster wall.
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[@LucasLAD]

I've seriously learned more from this channel in a few weeks than all of my youtube searches for years. Thanks Leah

[@seejanedrill]

you're very welcome, glad to hear from you! :)

[@DadOutdoors]

I'm so glad I found this video! I was dreading having to deal with the odd thickness of my plaster walls. Shimming it out -- genius!

[@nomadMik]

You're smarter than I am-I tried to work it out myself, and I've now spent over a year looking at a depression in my wall that I could've avoided by watching this video. But I also don't like the colour I chose, so now I can rip it out, do it like this, and paint it a better colour. 🙂

[@dustindufault7880]

Leah I always enjoy your videos and I agree with the other comments - you are a great teacher. Just wanted to say thanks for all the content you've made. I've been watching your videos for *years* now - from a DIY newbie to now having a contractors license. I know I can always count on your experience and teaching style to answer whatever question comes up.

[@neolithic3]

I enjoy watching all your videos even if I don't have to do the repair it is demonstrating. You're just such a good teacher and explain everything so well it's a joy to watch.

[@seejanedrill]

thank you very much!

[@yutooober]

I feel the same way. I wish you could teach me math and car repair, as well!

[@Mixwell1983]

I agree i have people i sub to for cooking which im a culinary student but i have my other subs for overall knowledge.

[@seanfoley4451]

You should be on This Old House Detroit.

[@DrRozRx]

Bailey moten

[@darinheath]

I just found your channel as I begin my journey into woodworking and home repair. These videos and your innate ability to communicate complex concepts to the layman are worthy of praise. This is truly your calling. Please continue helping us absorb these new skills you clearly have command of.

[@seejanedrill]

Thank you, Darin, that is very kind of you to say!

[@Sirmaximus62]

I owe you an apology. I've been in remodel and construction over 25 yrs and thought your videos would be a joke. I was completely wrong. I am very sorry I didn't give you the proper chance from the beginning. I have actually learned a few things from you. Thank you for your videos and I look forward to seeing more.

[@seejanedrill]

Hey Matt, no worries! There aren't a lot of women journeymen out there. Glad you found us!

[@vickiewoodard3180]

@@seejanedrill Awesome videos

[@mitel021]

I love what you do! so few ppl can do quality work, explain it clearly, and also record it well. Whenever I have a project that I don't know how to do,I look thru your bids for help!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@seejanedrill]

you're welcome, Michael, and thanks for commenting!

[@nja3224]

You’re pretty good at explaining and demonstrating. It seems like most times I come to KZbin for home repair guidance, your channel pops up in my returned list. I have to tell you that I’ve come to know to always see what you have to say. I’ll watch other videos too, but so far you haven’t disappointed and I’ve come to know and respect your videos, so thank you, you’re providing great learning opportunities for people, and you’re very good at it. 👍

[@deesuave6646]

Leah, thank you so much for this video. You made fixing the hole in my wall so simple, and for someone that has absolutely no experience, I’m great full

[@cdf912]

I love your videos! I just wish you would have shown the next steps in how to apply the finish coats and the sand finish

[@deetleskeet]

Leah, you are a lifesaver. I have a beautiful 91 year old home and very little money so I'm doing most of the repairs myself. This video gave me the exact information I needed to tackle a ver large and scary hole in the Wass of my enclosed sleeping porch. You're the best!

[@seejanedrill]

thanks, dee, glad it was helpful! I love old homes as well.

[@michaelgirsback7457]

I love you Leah!!! Thanks for teaching me all the tricks on repairing my old home!

[@cindypayne3195]

Thrilled to have found this video! I just bought a house where the previous owner had installed windows that were smaller than the originals and just covered the holes with nailed-in drywall. It is uneven and unsightly! I was considering tearing out the plaster walls and replacing with drywall, but now I have an easier fix! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise, Leah, you are a life saver!!

[@seejanedrill]

you're very welcome, Cindy, and congrats on your new house!

[@gregballard7438]

I love this channel. Everything is always so well explained and easy to learn

[@ChicagoDispatcher]

You are amazing. I've watched several videos on how to repair drywall and couldn't find one that adequately addressed the issue of the different widths until I found yours. I was perplexed about what to do because I drilled my drywall to the studs and thought I'd have to just put a ton of mud to even it out. That didn't seem right and I had to find a better way. Couldn't find the answer until I watched this. Subscribed.

[@choijin1948]

Thank you Leah! I am very glad to find your video here. Have been struggling how to patch a hole in the plaster ceiling and here’s a solution! I will try it out!

[@bigolan22]

That was exactly what I was looking for. Old plaster wall w/hole and needed to repair it. Awesome, much appreciated!!

[@dhawkins1234]

I recently commented how much I love your instructions on one of your other videos, but I can't help myself. You're such a fantastic teacher! I was trying to think of why I enjoy your videos so much, and as someone who loves teaching and did a lot of tutoring in college, what stuck out to me was your commitment to explaining the "why" behind something, even if it isn't strictly necessary to do the job. In this video, you explained that plaster walls are usually thicker than drywall. Most videos would leave it at that and go on to the repair portion, but you really made it clear why that was, and why it makes a difference. To experienced people, it probably seems unnecessary, but to beginners, it really helps us understand the thought process behind your decisions. That way, we're not limited to the specific example you filmed; you've given us knowledge that will help us in situations we haven't even encountered yet. Love your videos, and keep up your wonderful work!

[@seejanedrill]

wow, thank you, Daniel, I really appreciate it! Thanks for noticing my explanations; I really do want to help people understand the reasoning behind things, if possible.

[@dfelixrx7]

seejanedrill you kick some major ass!!! I mean it 👍👍😂

[@daveoverbey2032]

You are awesum! I am pretty much a handyman now opposed to what I was 45 years ago when I 1st started out. I had did a bathroom in a house w/plaster paris I had to patch I tried to replaster & boy was I frustrated, I finally had a friend of mine I paid to do it & like you he only did it with drywall using two different thickness of one thicker than the other He then skim coated it & fixed it to look perfect.

[@alys2639]

Thank you so very much Leah! I didn't think I'd be able to do any repairs myself. After watching your videos......I feel I can do anything! I'm in total awe of your instruction. Very clear and precise and you make things seem so doable. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@seejanedrill]

you're very welcome, Alys!! glad to be of help

[@louiseharmony1577]

Thanks so much for doing this video - I've seen several of your videos and they are all simple - straight to the point - detailed and VERY HELPFUL. I realized that I did not have a "nailer". Now I know that I need to "sister" a scrape piece of wood to the studs and use it as a "nailer". I feel more confident about this part of the job!!!!!

[@denisefarrell7786]

excellent...so glad I found your site today. I'm feeling confident that I'll repair my walls correctly.

[@paradoxdea]

Once again, Leah, you never disappoint. Excellent video!!

[@SkyKing101010]

Thank you Leah. I'm not very "handymanish", but I have worked with my brother from time to time when he's doing his handyman stuff, and he's quite knowledgeable about all this kind of thing, but I've never seen this sistering before. Maybe I just missed it, maybe he's never done this kind of repair when I was helping him, but this is a first for me. Thank you. Now, when I'm helping him and I (or someone) poke a hole in the drywall, when he tells me to fix it I can show off. It's good that I can surprise him once in a while so I can keep him in his place,... "the boss but not the only one that knows."

[@seejanedrill]

That's great, Bruce. :)

[@Mixwell1983]

Forgot to add i work currently at home depot and had a situation where someone wanted a patch screen for the drywall and thanks to you teaching me and me doing i was able to explain to the customer why the cutting out a sqaure and securing a wood piece for the patch was more stable and better. Well i happened to see that customer at a later date and he said "you were right it worked perfect" nothing greater than sharing my personal knowledge to customers and you helped me do it. Ive watched a lot of your videos and i tell people "hey i found out how to via youtube" but if theres something they want to fix ill try to remember to shout you and and tell em search their problem and add seejanedrill so you get more traffic.

[@seejanedrill]

Wow, that is really awesome! I love that you shared this with me. Thanks!

[@vereauxr]

Thank you so much! I was struggling to find a video showing how to repair plaster that's not on lath! You're such great teacher!

[@Cardinalfloors]

I love the hand nail on the 2x4. Perfect repair.

[@dennyatnotts]

You made a problem repair look effortless. Nice video.

[@seejanedrill]

thanks, Dennis!

[@CrimsonAce6]

I really appreciate how accessible you make the construction trades. My pet peeve is those old school tradesmen who give you grief for not knowing 40 years worth of trade knowledge. Alls this to say thank you!

[@TheJbur17]

This video came right on time. I have a repair coming up in a plaster wall in my garage. I will watch again. Great instructor! You make it easy!

[@seejanedrill]

thanks, Janet, and good luck with your project!

[@cind4846]

You're the real MVP, Leah! 👍

[@oumchar]

Hands down the best youtuber when it comes to construction I have ever seen. Hats off Madame.

[@TheWoodStroker]

JUST what the doctor ordered. I have the very same problem and you helped solve it. Thanks so much Leah. "Sistering", who knew? Well I do now.

[@seejanedrill]

🙂

[@slaydesantis294]

So happy you have this video! I have a drywall section that I thought was plaster, that is a rectangular hole. It must've been where a register or something was. My house is over 100 years old. Anywho...I wanted to make sure that the replacement drywall would be flush with the hole, and this video was just what I needed! Thanks :-)

[@Aaragoorn]

Thanks so much for this guide Leah, well be trying it out in our house soon!

[@skyerainero375]

This is EXACTLY what my wall and damage situation looks like. Learned a lot from the video!! would love to see Leah teach how to match the finished texture tho

[@ohillny]

great tips as always this just so happens to coincide with some work im doing on a older house right now only difference is its plaster and lath.

[@seejanedrill]

Hello Omar, This process works equally as well with plaster on wooden lath repairs. Good luck with your project.

[@amberatler7213]

Thank you for this video and information. I am a newly single mom and home owner of a 70 year old house. I am determined to do the minor repairs myself and know I can do it as I am somewhat handy. I have been searching for a way to fix all the holes left in my walls in a way that makes since lol. Thank you! I have subscribed to your channel for future reference!

[@chrisburnette1251]

perfect time. I need to help a friend with some patch work on plaster. thank you Leah

[@seejanedrill]

you're very welcome, Chris!

[@BigZeus]

I used a mesh patch from local big box store, it's now coming off after a few months. Plan to try this over the weekend. Thanks for the video!

[@seejanedrill]

you're very welcome! Good luck with your project!

[@Donegaldan]

Leah for president. Making walls great again. Thanks.

[@lizparsekian6476]

I re- caulked my tub beautifully -the first time- because of you. Rock on, sister!

[@krisc6012]

Omg finally! I appreciate how easy you made this. Thank you

[@remnant1018]

Thank you so much for posting this video! Your explanations were logical; your example wall, tools, supplies, and technique were clear; and you were very concise. I think this will help me plug the holes in my bedroom walls. :-)

[@vientodepaz]

you are Very good teacher!! thank you very much

[@chazking575]

Just discovered this channel. Excellent step by step instructions. Thanks!

[@charlitoguzman6414]

I have to repair a hole in my plaster wall behind the Stove in the kitchen. I had a plumber come to the house to repair some rusted out cast iron pipes behind the wall and he did a very bad job cutting a hole in the wall. It looks like the hole you had in this video but twice as big. This video helped me a lot. Thank you.

[@joshferguson4660]

Leah this was a very informative video as always! You do a very good job explaining the whole repair process. What tools people should use, how to use them and why you suggest one tool type over another for specific jobs. Keep up the great work!

[@seejanedrill]

thanks, Josh, I appreciate your comments!

[@joshferguson4660]

+seejanedrill your video and sound quality has improved and the camera work is better. Not that it was bad before, but the improvements don't go unnoticed!

[@seejanedrill]

thank you, Josh, my camera person really will appreciate hearing that, as she has worked very hard on her skills over the past couple of years!

[@trek6500mt]

Its amazing how so many people are saying thanks for this video. So let me get his straight. You all dont know how to repair the drywall. But you all know how to mud it, swirl the mud, and feather it so it looks good?!?!?!? The hole isnt fixed until its been mudded. Now if this was part 1 in a series, then i applaud you. That is a great idea.

[@harlequin6337]

Leah's demo on repairing a damaged plaster wall was great. I hope I can do half as well with my hole.

[@marie501061]

Great idea Leah thanks for sharing.

[@donb3557]

That's one sister that's going to help me out tomorrow! Thanks Leah you're a star.

[@caraiacoponi559]

You are such a good teacher!

[@lndsotoable]

great video. Question if the repair is larger such as 1/2 the wall, would this technique apply or would removing entire wall and replacing with drywall be other alternative? thanks in advance.

[@ctcourtking]

Wow this is awesome. Really great to see. A woman, a woman of color at that, and most importantly a person that really knows her stuff! I really appreciate your work, thank you for sharing with us and helping all the viewers.

[@Keylaward]

Where is the SUPER like button? I need to tell you that I love how you explain things. I studied carpentry in high school and I’m leaning new things with your channel. I like to fix stuff around my house and your videos motivated me to keep building and fixing things. I’m so glad to see another woman doing this, I don’t linger feel lonely. Thank you, thank you so much for your videos💗

[@seejanedrill]

you are very welcome! Thanks so much for watching and for commenting. 👍🙂

[@deeramos9416]

thankfully again. I have a huge hole in bathroom wall . this lesson showed me what to do. also the headlight cleaning tip . you are a true blessing.

[@seejanedrill]

thank you, Dee

[@tfriedmann5908]

Leah, thank you for your fantastic videos! I'm wondering if this is the same method that you would use for repairing inside corners with voids missing. I've seen people use 20 min mud, and heard that others will use Durabond. What would you recommend?

[@annas8947]

Hi your channel is a god send! I love your work!

[@motorcitybuds2117]

MUCH RESPECT YOUNG LADY.... I HAVE BEEN WATCHING YOUR SHOW FOR YEARS...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE. 😃👍

[@seejanedrill]

you're very welcome, and thank you!

[@cmitalo5574]

Well explained. You just earned another subscriber. Thanks so much.

[@reginasmith9189]

You are awesome Leah! Your videos have clear and consise directions! Just what we dyiers need. Question: I've just tore out some old tile from my plaster walls in my kitchen backsplash and treated it with a sealer called Mapei. Should I apply the sealer after I skimcoat the walls prior to tiling? Thanks

[@Frank-wo3qm]

Thanks Leah that was exactly what I was looking for.

[@deeramos9416]

I've had big whole in bathroom wall. now thanks to this video we dont. thank you so much. it's so easy to learn from you. you are well spoken and great at visual.

[@seejanedrill]

Thank you, Dee, I'm really glad it was helpful!

[@timothyryancole1801]

I rarely comment, but thank you for a straightforward, helpful video.

[@jessicaguyadeen5849]

Thank you so much for this video. Now, I can repair my wall!

[@daniellemarks3462]

I absolutely loved your video! Hopefully next time you can show us the mixture and mudding you do.

[@Mo4creed]

This is the best dry wall plaster repair video!

[@alice30045]

Don't you have another video showing a patch where you put a screw or nail into the center of the patch for holding it while you insert it into place? I can't find that video but the reason I wanted it was to mention that a way for a person like me with arthritis is to center a hook into the center of the patch, instead of a long nail (or screw). I've tried this and it worked out so much easier for my to grab onto and hold rather than the screw. Lady, you're the best and an inspiration to those of us who want to do it ourselves and save all that money. Thanks to my angel. From Super Bowl Atlanta

[@nicolewhite9324]

Leah you are an excellent teacher! Wonder if you have any suggestions on how to repair imperfections on plaster after removing baseboards?

[@jermainebalandra221]

cool video! very helpful! thanks a lot for sharing!

[@terrilynnmo]

you are very inspiring! thank you!

[@tonymoysi7835]

Loved your video! Really professional and very easy to follow instructions...I love it!!

[@seejanedrill]

thanks, Tony!

[@autumnh4936]

You are a lifesaver! Thank you!

[@xbradleywebbx]

This video is a God send, thank you so much!!

[@gregkottler5736]

Thank you Leah!!! Brilliant!!

[@matthewmurphy366]

Excellent video! Thanks

[@femineity]

That was such a great lesson! THANK YOU!

[@seejanedrill]

:)

[@javierbaquero2749]

You are great Leah👍👍👍

[@SureIamLucky]

Leah; Awesome as always. Thank you Great tip - you make it look easy.

[@seejanedrill]

you're welcome, Paul, and thanks!

[@robertbirch62]

I have learned so much from you!! Thank you!!

[@2127kac]

Thanks Leah!

[@gailrod2096]

Leah! I bow down to you in awe... when our son left for school I took his posters down...reminded me of The Shawshank Redemption...big holes behind 3 posters...guess he was Karate chopping his aggressions out. So now I think I can fix the holes based on this video :) (Same son has 3 active little guys...ha ha payback!)

[@jamaica1765]

This is just what I needed I love your video thank you

[@jess83ful]

This is explained in such a way that's easy to understand! Thank you! I have the confidence to repair my wall without hiring out!

[@jess83ful]

I'm back to say I did this method and fixed my own wall!! I had to "sister" the studs and it workout beautifully. I can't wait to show my dad (who works in construction and is usually my go to for help.) Thanks again for helping many women save $$🤎

[@arjunaugarow]

Thank you so much. Love your videos

[@DanielHBuchmann]

exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!!!

[@TwoPointOProductions]

Great video, I used 1/2 sheetrock instead of drywall as it was easier to match the thickness of the plaster.

[@davidjcohen]

Thank you Jane

[@taylor-]

This is super helpful, thank you!!

[@NgaTran-bc1ck]

Vow! Great technique. Thank you

[@matthewsetzer5251]

Awesome video. Thank you and God Bless

[@davisgloff]

I think the things I get from all of your videos are actually seeing it being done and then realizing that its really doable by a regular person. I'll watch your videos even when I'm not planning to do the specific job you're demonstrating just to see that "can do" attitude in action.

[@seejanedrill]

Thank you, Davis!

[@mariad4183]

You are amazing! This shimming idea is GENIUS! Thank you for sharing xoxo

[@jasonaldridge1117]

Great video! Thank you!

[@jackjonson2696]

Another awsome video thank you

[@corgizx]

This is the first video I’ve seen that matches my house!

[@jimhenry9368]

Good video. To the point with a good result.

[@unionblitz]

Another awesome video, thank you so much for taking the time to create them and make them so clear and helpful! This is a great way to do it! What are your thoughts on drywall clips or screwing in plywood along the back corners? This is obviously the most sturdy approach but requires cutting into the plaster more, which can be a messy, dusty process.

[@seejanedrill]

Short cuts can be fine if done properly.

[@kyleboyer1074]

love the new intro. very informative. thank you.

[@seejanedrill]

you're welcome, Kyle!